Ace Of Pentacles: “It is the possibility of prosperity, abundance, and security. It is the promise of wealth and well being, of flourishing and reaping the rewards of hard work. Energy spent will see returns. A seed has been dropped into the fertile earth. What will sprout from that seed? What strange flora will burst forth? The suit of pentacles is a promise that something will come, but it will require patience and work. What grows is what you make of it. The seed must be watered and nurtured, for nothing grows in a void, and success requires more than dreams and fantasies. Water with desire, and nurture with faith and effort and diligence.

In ancient Egypt, the lizard was representative of good fortune and divine wisdom. They are the denizens of the earth and the guardians for the pentacles: salamanders, chameleons, dragons. They lead the way from nebulous dreams and the fantastic, ever-changing realms of desires and wishes into the reality of being, of tangible actuality, and of the world.”*

~ By Shadowscapes Tarot, by Stephanie Pui-Mun Law

And here we step into another fresh start. A clean slate, ready to be brought to life with our hopes, dreams, hard work and dedication. What will we create?

This is a very auspicious message to start the year with; a reminder of the abundance and prosperity available to us all. Look at how far we have come in our journey. Look at how bright the future could be, if we choose to create it as so. It is all up to us.

The predominance of green and gold speaks of the heart center and solar plexus; the meeting of the heart and the will to create the fertility of abundance. Receptivity, authenticity and integrity meets self-confidence, will, courage and personal power. Together these potent forces make for a focused, expansive and successful future.

What seeds will you plant as we step into this new beginning? What will you choose to create and how can you do it with passion, joy, self-belief and an expanded awareness of what is really possible for you? Get really clear and set an intention for this year. Take some time alone to dream through it in as much detail as possible. Pull it towards you by putting your heart and soul into it’s visualization, seeing it, feeling it, sensing it, experiencing it before it comes to pass. Knowing that it will come to pass.

The Threshold: “At the Threshold you stand. Before you lies a way of being that is beyond fear. It is a sacred passing through a karmic veil into a new life of empowerment, peace, spiritual service to humanity and joy in your own Soul.”

“Congratulations! You are embarking on a phase of deepest soul liberation into freedom of love that triumphs over fear. It has been quite a journey. Many, many lifetimes and much inner work as been required for you to be able to perceive the light of the Divine even underneath the density of fear. You are fast approaching the karmic threshold where you can shift from fear-based to love-based embodiment.

This is a sacred and important time where it is wise to surround yourself with those that are able to support you in this love-based reality. In the near future you will be able to sustain your vibration even amongst beings that are based in fear, and then you will be of even greater service to life, love and Divine power on this planet.

For now, allow beloved Kuan Yin to help you connect to the beauty and potency, the love and fearless, endless joy of your own Higher Self. Do not be disheartened by any old fears that are surfacing. You do not need to create a story out of them, you can just observe them with love and allow them to pass. It is just your inner Self releasing any vibration which is not aligned with unconditional love.

Sometimes there can be deep testing on the Threshold. This is not an exam to be afraid of, but an opportunity to realize your development and to really be secure on a firm inner spiritual foundation before moving forward in your Soul service to others through how you live and be on this planet. It is no use in preparing to assist others on a higher scale in moving from fear to love if you are still making the transition yourself. Let yourself stabilize in the new vibration then your ability to help others will increase naturally with much grace, assistance and effortlessness.

And well done, beloved! There is much love and celebration in the spiritual worlds about this shift for you. Remember that the only defense ever needed, no matter what the apparent fear or threat, is unconditional love in the heart, which allows for compassion and detachment. You are safe and you are quickening in your readiness to pass the threshold. Your journey is truly blessed.

Prayer for passing the Threshold:

“May I be blessed under the compassionate love and protection of Kuan Yin as my Soul prepares to cross the threshold from fear to love in all dimensions of my being. Om Mani Padme Hum, Om Mani Padme Hum. Om Mani Padme Hum.”*

– By Alana Fairchild

You will find that you are increasingly unable to tolerate negativity, toxicity and low vibrational energies. People who are complaining, gossiping or living in a victim mentality will repel you. You are becoming more and more sensitive to energy, and this is a positive shift. You may find at first that you attract negative people like moths to a flame; or you may find that people who are used to draining your energy amplify their effect on you and actually affect you physically. You may need to take a break from someone; or break it off completely. You may need to avoid crowds, spend more time outside and take more salt baths to clear and reset. And all that is Ok. Necessary to where you are going.

As you heighten your vibration there will be what is referred to often as a ‘falling away’… a releasing of sorts. People, places and habits that used to suit you no longer will hold any appeal. Your taste will change, right from your taste buds down to your preference in the fabric you wear to the people you spend your time with and where you spend it. A total shift in perspective.

But as you close some doors, and let some people go, new ones will appear in their place as if by magic. You will find yourself creating a new tribe. People who feel light and easy to be around. People who lift you up as you do them. Supportive and accepting, loving and non-judgmental. As you step into this new energy, you will no longer worry so much about who you are in the world and whether you fit in or not. Because you will absolutely know you do.

Three Of Bows from the Wild Wood Tarot, by Mark Ryan and John Matthews, artwork by Will Worthingtonartwork by Kiri Ostergaard Leonard

Daily Angel Oracle Card: Three Of Bows from the Wild Wood Tarot, by Mark Ryan and John Matthews, artwork by Will Worthington

Three Of Bows: “Fulfillment”

Card Description: “A robed figure stands at the junction of two ways, one hand raised in blessing, the other holding a bow. Two bow staves, make from freshly cut branches, trimmed but still rough hewn, stand planted in the earth on either side of the road, forming a gateway through which the figure offers welcome to the approaching traveler.”

Meaning Of The Card: “Nourishment from a spiritual source gives inner security and joy. Goals and desires are reached, making life rich with emotional scrutiny and a sense of completion.”

Reading Points: “The archer must be at one with the bow to fully direct its potential energy, and just as the arrow passes through the bow, propelling it to its target with effortless grace, the questing heart and seeker of knowledge allows the energy to flow through him. This combination of balanced energy and intellectual focus enables the mastering of any situation and allows your arrows to fly completes an unseen, universal circuit. The inner stillness and focus thus produced is easily apparent and observable to others, and builds a sense of trust, confidence and security in those for whom you are responsible. This inner shining energy will inspire others to start out on their own path of discovery and sojourn to fulfillment.”

~ By Mark Ryan and John Matthews

The double serpents entwined represents the caduceus, the symbol of healing, life and spiritual wisdom. It is male and female energy in perfect balance. It is the spiral of DNA, our very makeup. It is the kundalini energy rising, chakras aligning, the body opening like a vessel connecting the Earth below to the Universe above. It is a very powerful symbol.

The man raises his hand in a blessing, palm raised to the sky. This also symbolizes the flowing of the reciprocal energy between heaven and Earth, above and below. His bow is lowered, a sign of peace. There is a feeling of momentum, his cloak flying behind him in the wind. He is a formidable figure, one to be honoured and respected. He stands before the world tree on what appears to be the edge of a cliff. Two trails wind on either side of the tree; signifying a decision to be made. The fact that his face is hidden and you must pass on either side signifies that the decision on which way to go is yours to make.

Which way will you go?

The Three Of Bows is a card of fulfillment. This means that the way you choose will be the one that most satisfies your heart’s desires. Only you know how to make this decision. All your resources are within you. You have everything you need in order to move forward.

Daily Angel Oracle Card: Difficulty in the Beginning, from the Tao Oracle, by Ma Deva Padma

Difficulty in the Beginning: “What might seem like chaos and confusion around you or within you right now is actually a much needed jolt. It is becoming apparent that certain aspect of the life to which you have become accustomed are dramatically being shaken up. Whether you think you are ready for it or not, the outgrown is already falling away. Just as the smallest seed requires tremendous energy to break open, once it does it leaves the shell behind. Then, faced with innumerable challenges, it emerges from the darkness into the light. This happens in the right timing of things.

In retrospect, you will see this as a birth that not only strengthened your ability to ‘roll with the punches,’ but increased your capacity to endure difficult transitions. In the interim, though, you have every right to feel vulnerable and shaky, but don’t let that stop you! Much of what was a source of security and protection is being buffeted to the point where it is difficult to know what you want, which way to move, or what is expected – and there my be questions and doubts in many areas of life where once there was unshakable certainty. But feeling doubtful now is not necessarily a bad thing – in fat, it is an inevitable part of the process of dismantling the old to clear the way for the new. However difficult or painful it may be, this is a vitally important stage of your growth.

Rather than feeling sorry for yourself or mourning what is lost, prepare to face the new challenges and possibilities that will soon appear on the horizon. The nature of this particular journey is that once it has begun, there is no turning back. Although at times the landscape might seem totally unfamiliar, keep a steady pace and stay in touch with the real needs of the moment rather than projecting into the future. Any attempt to create a plan or ‘make sense’ of things is premature and will just lead to repetitiveness, frustration, and unnecessary confusion. So be gentle with yourself, and go slowly. There is no rush – each and every step counts.

Your capacity to trust in the mysterious rhythms that are impacting your life now is being strengthened, and as a result you may discover yourself approaching change with an inner calm that once would have seemed impossible. Breathe deeply and stay alert. Don’t be shy or too proud to ask for help when it is needed, and receive it with humility and gratitude when it is offered. You may know someone who has walked this walk and whose wisdom will be a source of support and encouragement for you now.

Likewise, tune in to the inner guide, the voice of truth that speaks from your intuition. If you respect and stay in touch with its guidance, taking the time to listen, you will find it never fails to dispassionately reveal the next step. Patience, perseverance, and gentleness with yourself are essential now. Though challenging nature strengthens every growing thing, just think what an intimidating and arduous journey it is from the egg to the open sky! Get into the spirit of adventure while taking care not to put yourself or others at risk; there is much that needs to be attended to. It is the dawn of a new day and you are more than ready to move on; if you weren’t , the Tao wouldn’t have provided this opportunity.”*

~ By Ma Deva Padma

Ego likes nothing more than to run the show; with a flair for the dramatic and a tendency to repeat old habits and patterns of behaviour ad nauseam. As we kick ego to the curb and actually progress along the road less traveled, it is bound to kick up a fuss. This is the fear and doubt you may be experiencing now. Acknowledge it, and move forward regardless. One foot after the other.

The progress need not be hasty, it is more about consistency now. It is about perseverance, determination and commitment to something brand new; pure and completely authentic. It is about living in integrity, in alignment with Higher Purpose. It is not about the accumulation of material worth, but about finding conviction in our own self worth. That is where the treasure lies.

Yes, it’s going to be uncomfortable. Yes, there may be those around you who would align with your ego and fight for things staying the same. Move forward anyway. There may be challenges, road blocks or just some stumbling blocks. Move forward anyway.

This is a powerful new Moon and we can use it to our advantage. Aries is about getting out there and getting things done. It is about harnessing your energy and focusing it onto your goals, taking action and making things happen. It is not a time of sitting around hoping and wishing, it is about getting er done! It is the perfect time to take steps to change what isn’t working in your life, painful or not, and get things moving in the right direction. It’s time to take the reins.

What you put out there right now is what you will create in the very immediate future. It will impact the rest of this year and the nine year cycle we are embarking upon this year. Get really clear on your intentions. Write them down. Read them out loud. Light a candle. Say a prayer. And see just how powerful your manifestation skills really are.

“I can never leave you, not for a moment, not for an hour. You are in everything I do. You are my everything.

My drink is your sweetness. I move to your command. I am a surrendered prey in your hands, and you are my consuming lion.

Your soul and my soul are truly One Soul. I swear to our One Soul, I long for no one but you.

In the garden of your grace, I am only a germinating sprout. The crown of my blooming is the desire to be in your arms.”

~ RUMI

“My hand watches over you. It brings you blessings and comfort, protection and grace. Radiant with divinity am I, and you are my child, my beloved, my angel and my body too. I shall never leave you. Turn your inner eye to me and see the light of my grace in your heart. You cannot be harmed. You cannot be defiled. You can only ever be what you are – me, alive, radiant with love.”

“You are giving birth to more spirit than you have ever held before. During such times, a divine midwife can be helpful and supportive. This is Fatimah, Radiant Daughter of the Great Beloved, who reaches from the skies, who reaches up from within your body from deep within the earth, and brings you the gift of protection, grace and love. You are safe. You are held and you are bound within her warmth. She has received your prayers and she honours your devotion to life, to love and to growth.

She will help you. Ask for her blessing daily. You can use the simple sacred honouring ritual to do so if you need guidance on how to pray to her, but any words from your heart spoken in authenticity will suffice, no matter how simple or ornate they may be. She responds to the feeling behind the words and she responds instantly, beyond time and space; in fact, she has responded even now, perhaps before you even knew she was needed.

This oracle brings you the guidance that what is being born in your life right now, in our own consciousness as a seed – perhaps of a new way of being, a new idea, belief system, philosophy or sense of self – is going to come to maturity under the loving protection of the Divine Mother.

You are also being asked to heed your intuition and instincts. Have some discernment about who you involve yourself with an dhow you choose to use your time and energy. Allow yourself to feel Fatimah’s guidance and comfort in you by giving yourself permission to be nurtured – through your own choices and the people or situations you say yes or no to in your life. This is a way to honour her presence ad allow her to help you, which she wishes to do in all ways possible. Love is all things you see, dearest angel, and that means saying no can mean saying yes to something greater. So give yourself permission to say your no and yes as dictated by your heart.

This oracle also brings you the message that your body is sacred and worth your attention. You do not have to become obsessed, you do not have to push or judge your body, but you can honour him or her as a sacred animal through which your spirit creates soul and expresses itself in the world. This is a truly wonderful and amazing gift, extraordinary and yet fraught with challenge. The spirit can be powerful – sometimes it can be hesitant too – enough to really engage with the body and ‘come to life’.

There is a story that the angels sang music to lure the spirit into the body, but used to its freedom, it was reluctant to experience itself in what looked like rather confining matter! The spirit did not know that Fatimah would be initiating the spirit into her mysteries through the body. She was going to be sharing the sensuality of life, the sacredness of love, the deep mystery of life, death and rebirth, and the wonders of nature. She was going to show the Divine could live not only in light but also in flesh.

Fatimah holds the wildness of divine feminine wisdom and the sanctity of life. She has great gifts of ecstatic presence only able to be experienced through the spirit living in the body. She will share this if you allow her to guide you. Once the spirit recognizes this, even just gets a whiff of Fatimah’s glorious fragrance, the enthusiasm for life ignites, and the wonders of the world experienced through the body become a way to revere the Great Beloved, and turn all of life into the temple of love.

This oracle also comes with guidance. Giving your body rest and healing is most beneficial at this time. There are symptoms you are experiencing – anything from fuzzy-headedness to tiredness and aches and pains, as well as shifts in body temperatures that seem unbalanced – and these are directly related, if not solely, to the interaction of your spiritual essence with your sacred animal body. These will even out under Fatimah’s grace and protection, life two housemates learning to live together and enhance each other, rather than distract and annoy each other with their quirks and differences. This settling in process will happen all the more easily when you ask for Fatimahs’s help.

This oracle also advises that if you ask for help and protection in any matter, it will be granted. There is no exception to this rule. There is noting you have done that has made you unworthy of divine intervention, grace and love. Not one thing, ever. Ask, trust and receive.”

Sacred Honouring Ritual:

“Place one hand on your heart and one on your belly, and say the following aloud: ‘Fatimah, who loves me unconditionally, bless me with your hand of protection and your radiant grace. May I love my body and live my divinity in totality. My spirit is my body. My body is my spirit. Arwahunaajsadunawa-ajsdunaarwahuna.’Repeat, slowly and carefully, three times, then rest if you wish to. When you are ready, you have completed your sacred honouring ritual.”*

~ By Alana Fairchild

We are undergoing a process of the integration of body, mind and spirit. We are no longer separated from our higher selves, our Light bodies are a part of our physical bodies and we are taking on more and more light as the process continues. At this time it is absolutely vital that we honour our bodies as the sacred temples that they are, as the old saying goes ‘If you do not have your body, where will you live?’

You will find your tastes are changing in many ways. Honour this shift. You may be drawn to drink more pure water, less sugary, caffeinated or alcoholic drinks. You may not desire to eat as much meat, if any at all. You are or soon will be drawn to natural fruits and vegetables; foods which hold the most ‘prana’ or life energy. You need less to satiate you and will tend to eat smaller portions throughout the day.

Your sleep patterns are changing. Honour this. Whenever possible, sleep when you are tired. Listen to the rhythms of your body. Take a break when you need to, even a short one. Breathe deeply. Pay close attention to your dreamtime.

Watch where you place your energy and intention, and whom you choose to spend your time with. Stay away from toxic people as much as possible, even if this means making some significant changes in your life. You will find yourself more sensitive to the energies of the people around you. Honour this. Step back from those who do not hold the highest intention. Refuse to participate in gossip, judgment or exclusion.

Key Phrases: “Practicality and Pragmatism, Starting Anew, New Financial or Career Opportunity, Reward vs Consequence, Making Preparations, Planning for the Future, Material Gain, A Desire for Security”

Meaning: “When the Ace Of Earth appears in your reading, it represents a time of change and new beginnings on the career and home front. This change is driven by a desire for financial security and independence for yourself, or for those for whom you are responsible.

It is a time to make preparations and plans for the future so that you are not challenged or placed under stress by the changes that are coming. What do you want to do with your life? What career path will allow you to to both meet your responsibilities and be fulfilled. Are you more interested in financial reward than seeking a vocation or career that will stimulate you and make you happy?

It is time for you to think of the outcome you desire. Do you need to further your education and qualification to create more financially rewarding opportunities?

A new beginning founded in practicality and pragmatism – this is the energy of the Ace Of Earth. It is time to be grounded in your approach and seek tangible outcomes that meet your desires. Determine your weaknesses and strengths, weigh your responsibilities, and then decide whether or not they fit with your goals and objectives. Also, be sure to consider the impact your decision will have on those around you. Be certain of your motivation.

If you desire a safe and secure environment that is free of financial stress, then now is the time to consider building a solid foundation.”

Potential Blockage, When This Card Comes To You As Challenger: “The Ace Of Earth signifies that too much emphasis may have been placed on financial reward or career goals, to the detriment of other needs and responsibilities. What price are you willing to pay in order to meet your goals? Are you motivated by genuine need? By fear? Or by material desires? These are questions you need to ask yourself, now. How important is material gain? How fast do you wish to achieve financial security? And for what purpose?

The Earth cards represent home, family, and career, and a harmonious marriage of the three. While your life may not include all three, be sure that your opportunity to have love and family will not be limited by a path that focuses only on your need for financial security.

If you do have family – a spouse, children, or both – are you putting your desire for financial security before the emotional needs and responsibilities of a partner and parent? Will the plans you have made take you away from family and place undue pressures on your relationships with others? If the answer is “yes” or “maybe” the Ace Of Earth as challenger suggests that it is time to rethink your goals, or weight the potential rewards against the potential consequences.

Do not act selfishly at this time, or the consequences may be greater than anticipated.”*

~ By Ravynne Phelan

We are responsible for our own realities. If we don’t like what we see around us, it is up to us and only us to change it. How does that statement make you feel? Empowered? Or angry, petulant and a little scared? Do you feel the victim of circumstance? Or do you feel like you are a powerful manifestor? Whatever you answer, you are correct. If you are not sure, the evidence surrounds you in every aspect of your life.

Today is the start of a brand new chapter, a clean slate. Now, finally, you can take full control and make some serious changes in your life. Transformation is NOW. Yes, there may be a final release. Yes, there may be some turmoil, but you knew that. All the gentle poking and prodding and whispering and guiding… were you listening? If not, expect a kick in the butt from the Universe pretty quick… you must get back on your path. Remember? You came here for a very important reason. There is no more time to lose.

Your thoughts, feelings, intentions and personal power will create your new reality. What will that look like?

Did you make a vision board? Start a God Box? Create a collage of dreams? Journal? Make an alter? Set a powerful intention in a way that resonates with you?

Do whatever it is that you have to do to get really clear on what it is that you desire to create.

“In this card, Ganesha uses the mouse as his vehicle, which signifies his triumph over the ego. In Hindu mythology, the mouse symbolizes the ego, for the ego can eat away at all that is good and decent in a person.

Belonging seeks to solve the predicament of the ego’s own perceived separation. Since the ego has no conscious memory of its connection to others and to Source, you experience a ‘need’ to get out of seclusion by bonding with the people around you. These people can be your family, peer groups, or your community.

The ego is neither good nor bad, but simply a necessary part of you in this existence. The ego can manifest inclinations that are either more positive or more negative in nature. There are many positive aspect to belonging: you develop your ability to love, connect, bond, share, and care for others. You see yourself more clearly through the mirror of relationship. It is important in belonging that you not try to seek approval through others.

Through this card, Ganesha is here to help you focus on the positive feelings from being a part of a community. Learn to trust, ask for help, and to rely on others.”*

~ By Angela Hartfield

Again we are asked to strengthen our connection to community, as well as extending that same connection to others. We do this without expectation or hope of approval. We do it from the heart, from gratitude and from kindness and generosity. We find fulfillment in being a part of an intricate network of communication and sharing with others of like mind, on equal ground. We must get past the old ways of hierarchy, of people climbing their way to the top… of competition and segregation and exclusion.

We are the New Earth. We are a global community. We can be here for each other. Support each other. Love each other and heal each other. We can build something so strong, so wise and so amazing that it will topple the old system. We can create a brand new way of living, of being in the world. Of creating a world of safety, of security, of abundance. This is healing.

This is huge, this call to community. It is absolutely essential that we learn to celebrate our differences and unique qualities while accepting the peaceful belief systems, cultures, religions, rituals and appearances of others. We don’t need to decide who is right and who is wrong, we only need to learn to accept them as they are, and have faith that they will find their way in the same way that we are finding our own.

If we can find a way to work together, this is what will create peace and ascension. This is what will heal us and heal the planet. But we must put away the lack mentality, the victim mentality, the aggressor mentality. We must create a circle, equal on all sides, not a pyramid where a select few stand on top of the masses.

Embrace your victory over the ego, which will allow you to truly belong.